Lenon Ready to Step Up

Linebacker Paris Lenon wants to be a physical presence on the field should he see more playing time.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – After leaving the game against the Cowboys in the second quarter, linebacker Wesley Woodyard has not practiced this week and was listed as doubtful on the team’s injury report for this week’s game against the Jaguars.

Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio said Thursday that Paris Lenon would likely see increased time on the field should Woodyard be unable to play. Woodyard’s status for Sunday is listed as doubtful.

“He’s got run-and-hit ability, played a thousand snaps or more last year in Arizona,” Del Rio said of Lenon. “He’s been a starter all his life. (He’s a) very, very capable guy that – if it ends up being that Wesley can’t go, then Paris will definitely play a bunch.”

Lenon said today that the prospect of more playing time doesn’t change his preparation.

“I’m always preparing like I’m going out there and I’m going to do what do what I do,” Lenon said.

Lenon came to Denver as a free agent in August of this year and most of his action on the field has been in a special-teams role but he’s actually the most veteran linebacker on the roster.

With Woodyard not expected to suit up, the defensive co-captain knows that Lenon is capable of stepping up.

“Paris has been a good player in this league for a while,” Woodyard wrote in his weekly blog. “He knows the plays before they even happen. He brings that physicality to the game of football. As a Mike linebacker, he’s going to come down and make plays. He’s a guy that has been waiting to get out on the field.”

This is Lenon’s 12th season in the NFL. He’s played in 175 games and started 122 of those. He’s registered 612 tackles, 12 sacks, five interceptions and 10 forced fumbles in his career. He’s played with five different teams including the Broncos and played his first professional season with the Memphis Maniacs of the XFL.

So should he see more snaps Sunday than usual, it won’t be unfamiliar territory.

“This isn’t my first rodeo,” he smiled.

Lenon added that he was looking forward to the opportunity to see more playing time and should that become a reality he wants be a physical presence on the field.

“I just go out there and play my game,” Lenon said. “I approach it a certain way. It’s a physical game and honestly that’s what I like about it. I want to go out there and make my presence known. That’s my mindset.”